Affordable Clean Energy

Wanted Urgent Action on Energy to Achieve Global Goals

By J Nastranis

NEW YORK (IDN) – About one billion people around the world live without electricity. Close to three billion lack access to clean cooking solutions and are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, which results in millions of deaths each year, mostly among women and children.

Against this disquieting backdrop, a new publication supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has called for urgent action. Without such action, the world will fall short of its 2030 energy targets and, consequently, fail to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Launched on April 18, this set of policy briefs draws on the expertise of 50 organizations to identify priority areas where urgent action could place the world on track to achieving sustainable energy for all.

"Billions of people stand to benefit from the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 through technological advancements, new economic opportunities and jobs, empowered women, children and youth, better education and health, more sustainable, equitable and inclusive communities, and greater protections from, and resilience to, climate change. We must not let them down," said UN Under-Secretary-General and chief of UN DESA Liu Zhenmin.

Despite the rapid expansion of renewables – in 2017, the world added more solar capacity than coal, gas, and nuclear plants combined – little progress has been made on integrating renewable energy into end-use applications in buildings, industry and transport. Improvements in energy efficiency and financial flows into energy are also falling short of the global targets, notes the UNDESA publication.

The transformation of the world’s energy systems is underway, accelerated by advances in technologies, rapid cost declines, shifts in policies and investments, new business models and increased cooperation. But a stronger political will and increased investment are needed to capitalize on this momentum. The new publication therefore calls on all stakeholders to work together to scale up the deployment of renewable energy technologies, increase energy efficiency and make clean energy more affordable than ever for the benefit of all.

"With the right policies, regulatory frameworks, new technologies, and concerted actions, universal energy access can be accomplished,” said Liu. “And it can be done without compromising the greenhouse gas emission reductions called for under the Paris Agreement." [IDN-InDepthNews – 21 April 2018]

UN Messenger of Peace @JaneGoodallInst introduces @IRIforests, a new global effort uniting people of all faiths to end tropical deforestation. Watch the video and share this important message: InterfaithRainforest.org/video #FaithsForForests.